When Furman University's football team travels to VMI this weekend there's at least one guarantee - a streak will end.

The Paladins (2-6, 1-2 Southern Conference) limp in on a six-game losing streak following one of the most lopsided losses in school history. Samford's 45-0 romp gave Furman its longest losing skid since 1972.

The Paladins will be looking to extend their 21-game winning streak over a Keydets program that's back in the SoCon after an 11-year hiatus.

While VMI enters at just 1-8 overall and 0-4 in league play, they do have the SoCon's top passing attack, averaging 255 yards a game. That could spell trouble for Furman's depleted secondary.

On a team filled with injuries nothing compares to the current situation at safety, where the Paladins will likely be without their top three there on Saturday.

A scary collision between cornerback Reggie Thomas and strong safety Thomas Brown last Saturday resulted in a broken arm for Brown, who will miss the rest of the season. Thomas was able to return last week and should be good to start on Saturday.

Brown was starting in place of Trey Robinson, who will miss his third straight game this week because of mononucleosis, and alongside free safety Rodney Anderson who suffered a sprained ankle against Samford.

"Rodney's doubtful this week, but he's got a chance," said Furman coach Bruce Fowler. "We're just down to not very many guys there."

Senior Hunter Tremaine could start at one safety spot with senior captain Marcus McMorris shifting from nickelback to the other slot. In that scenario, Richard Hayes would see action at nickelback.

Coming off a 10-tackle performance against Samford, freshman Adekunle "AK" Olusanya could also be in the mix in the secondary. Olusanya, who had missed most of the season with an injury, was pressed into duty last week after just one day of practice.

"He did some good things, he'd just never played," said Fowler. "So he's still learning everything and getting used to it."

• This Saturday will mark Furman's third different snapper in as many weeks as sophomore kicker Hunter Townes is expected to handle that duty.